By Sgt. First Class Matthew Fearing
"Thank you for your help with this project." wrote the Lawrence, Kansas third grader as she concluded her letter. She signed off "your friend, Robyn." Robyn Flummerfelt had contacted me through her mother, Kyra Flummerfelt. Robyn had wanted to see where soldiers were living and combined a school project with that desire.
The project is a culminating activity for Robyn's class at Broken Arrow Elementary School in Lawrence, Kan. They had finished reading a book called Flat Stanley who, according to Robyn, folds himself up into an envelope and mails himself to California for a vacation. Robyn decided to send her own version, Flat Robyn, to her mom's friend in Afghanistan. "Please send her back with pictures and a letter to tell me were you took her." Robyn wrote. "I can't wait to hear back from you."
Ms. Flummerfelt added her own note describing how Robyn's Brownie Troop was so excited about the idea of sending Flat Robyn to Afghanistan that they "wanted to send you something as well, so they drew pictures for you." The assorted drawings now grace the wall above the doorway to the 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment office in Bagram Airfield.
Flat Robyn began her adventure visiting the dining facility, the post exchange, and meeting the service men and women of Bagram Airfield. A friendly sergeant at Task Force Pirate, Staff Sgt. Bill Denison, posed with the Flat Robyn. Denison, a Utah National Guardsmen, was pleased to help with the project. Denison was but one of many of the Coalition members to take the time to help out.
A Polish soldier, Mariusz Jader, agreed to pose with Flat Robyn by the sign in front of the Polish camp. Nodding his assent, Jader smiled with understanding that this was for a young girl back in the United States.
Outside the Korean Engineer's compound, Lee Bong-il took time to stand beside Flat Robyn. He said he was happy to help. He smiled after the picture and shook my hand in a warm greeting.
Throughout Bagram Airfield, members of the coalition forces stopped to see the paper doll and either posed for pictures or made suggestions for Bagram scenes for Flat Robyn. Over 40 pictures were taken with the doll from Lawrence. She was in front of the chapel, Task Force Liberty headquarters, and by the on-going construction of the Pat Tillman USO Center.
Flat Robyn is on her way back from Afghanistan. She is returning to Lawrence, Kansas where she was "born." And her friend and creator, little Robyn Flummerfelt, will have quite a tale to tell about Flat Robyn's adventures thanks to the service members here in Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2005 10:10 |
| Story ID: | 821 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 27 |
This work, Flat Robyn in Afghanistan, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
